FAQs

What do I need to sign up for Internet Banking and Internet Bill Payment?

To use our Internet banking system, you will need a computer with Internet access from an Internet Service Provider, and a Web Browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer (ver 5.0 & higher) or Netscape (ver 4.7x or higher) with 128-bit encryption. Our Internet banking system does not support use of browsers with 40 or 56-bit encryption. America Online (AOL) users should use AOL ver 5.0 or higher. For more information on your favorite browser's encryption features and how to download updated updated versions of your browser, click on one of the following browser logos:

What is the cost for Internet Banking and Internet Bill Payment?

Internet Banking is FREE! Internet Bill Payment is FREE for the six months! After the first six months, you will pay $5.95 per month which includes 15 payments. A payment fee of $.35 is assessed for each additional payment above 15.

What types of accounts can I view with Internet Banking?

With Internet Banking, you can view your MetroBank Checking, Money Market, NOW, Savings, Certificate of Deposit, and IRA accounts, as well as most loans (except mortgage loans). All accounts and loans must have the same primary Taxpayer Identification Number.

Can I access both personal and business accounts with Internet Banking and Bill Payment?

Yes, as long as your business account is a sole proprietorship or a DBA for a sole proprietorship. Otherwise, you will need to setup separate Internet Banking and Bill Payment relationships for your personal and business accounts.

How often is my account information updated?

Account information is updated nightly Monday through Friday (excludes Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays). For example, you will able to view Monday's account information and transactions on Tuesday morning.

Can I transfer money from one account to another?

Yes. with Internet Banking you can transfer money between eligible MetroBank Checking, Money Market, NOW, or Savings accounts. You may also make payments on MetroBank loans from your Checking, Money Market, NOW, or Savings accounts.

Can I transfer money between my personal and business accounts?

Funds transfers and loan payments may only be performed between accounts with the same primary Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Can I stop or modify my request to transfer funds?

Yes. At anytime until you get to the Transfer Funds Approval screen, you can modify or cancel your funds transfer request. However, after you have completed a funds transfer transaction and have received a confirmation number, you cannot stop the transfer from occurring. However, you may initiate another transfer and transfer the money back.

How does MetroBank's Internet Bill Payment service work?

Your payments are electronically transferred from your MetroBank checking account to your payee's account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. If the party you are making a payment to is not setup for electronic transfer, a check is sent via US Mail. Recurring and future dated payments may be established.

Are there any payments I cannot make using Internet Bill Payment?

The only payments we are unable to make are tax payments and court-ordered payments.

When should I setup my payments to make sure they are paid on time?

You should allow 3 business days for payments being made electronically. For payments being made by check, you should allow 5 business days. The payment method for each of your payees will be clearly identified as either "electronic or "check."

How will I know what payments have been made?

Through MetroBank's online access to your account, you will be able to view it once a payment has been made. The payment will also be clearly itemized on your monthly bank statement.

What if my payee says they have not received my payment?

If your payee notifies you that a payment has not posted, please call us at 305-233-1377. We will provide proof of payment to your payee and work to resolve the issue on your behalf.

What do I need to know about security?

The Electronic Banking System takes full advantage of the security provided by your Web browser and your Web server. Your transactions are encrypted as they travel over the Internet. Anyone trying to listen in on your communications will not be able to decipher them. The Netscape browser displays a key in the lower right corner of its window. When you are browsing a Web site that is not secure, the key will appear broken. When the session is secure (such as after you log onto the Electronic Banking System), the key appears solid with a blue background. In addition, your Electronic Banking System account is protected by a password (or "PIN": your Personal Identification Number). No one can use your account without knowing your PIN.

What is 128-bit encryption?

There are basically two types of encryption: "High" and "Standard". The difference between these types of encryption is the strength of capability. A "High" (128-bit) encryption is exponentially more powerful than a "Standard" (40 or 56-bit) encryption. "High" or 128-bit encryption means there are a septillion possible keys that could fit into the lock that holds your account information, but only one that works for each time you bank online. MetroBank uses the highest level of encryption (128-bit) to ensure your online transmissions are secure. Our Internet banking system does not support use of browsers with 40 or 56-bit encryption.

How do I sign up for these services?

To sign up, kindly visit one of our branch offices for an application. Or, simply print and complete our online banking application. The completed online banking application can be e-mailed or returned to any of our offices. Once you have submitted the application, we will assign you a User ID and temporary Password. This information will be sent to you by US Mail.

How do I access these services once I have signed up?

You may access Internet Banking and Bill Payment through MetroBank's website at www.metrobankfl.com. Input your User ID and password. If this is the first time that you are signing on to the Internet Banking system, you will be prompted to change the bank assigned temporary password to a new password of your choice.

Where can I get step-by-step instructions for Internet Banking and Bill Payment?

Detailed instructions are available online by clicking on the "Help" function from any screen that you are viewing.

Whom can I contact if I have any other questions or comments?

If you have any questions regarding Internet Banking or Bill Payment, click here to e-mail us or contact your branch office. Once you have registered for Internet Banking, you are welcome to contact us by e-mail at www.metrobankfl.com or by telephone at 305-233-1377 with any questions you may have. Support is available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays).

May I download information to financial management software (i.e. Intuit Quicken ® or Microsoft Money ®)?

Yes, we support downloads in the following formats:

1) Open Financial Exchange ( .OFX - for Microsoft Money)
2) Open Financial Exchange ( .QFX - for Intuit Quicken)
3) Intuit Interchange Format ( .IIF - for Intuit Quickbooks)
4) Personal Finance ( .QIF)
5) Spreadsheet ( .CSV)
6) Word Processing ( .TXT)

Can I schedule recurring or future dated transfers?

No. At this time, the Internet Banking service does not provide these transfer options.

Can I tell when a transfer has posted to my account?

If you approve a funds transfer or loan payment, a "Confirmation Number" will be displayed. You may use this number if you need to refer to the transfer at a later time. The Confirmation Number will also be listed on your monthly account statement. If you make a funds transfer or loan payment using Internet Banking before 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) on a business day that we are open, we will consider that day to be the day of your funds transfer or loan payment. However, if you make a funds transfer or loan payment using Internet Banking after 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) or on a day we are not open, we will consider that the funds transfer or loan payment was made on the next business day that we are open. Funds transfers performed before 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) may be viewed on Internet Banking on the following business day. Loan transfers performed before 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) may be viewed on Internet Banking on the second business day.

If my payment due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, what should I do?

Bill payments may be established with a payment date which falls on a Monday through Friday (excludes federal holidays). Payments established with a payment date of Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, will be processed on the next business day. Remember the payment date is not the due date. You should establish the payment date at least 3 business days prior to the payment due date for payments being made electronically. For payments being made by check, you should establish the payment date at least 5 business days prior to the payment due date.

Do I need to contact my payees to tell them I am using MetroBank's Internet Bill Payment service?

No. Using our Internet Bill Payment service will not change the way your payments are credited or how money is moved through your accounts.

Can I place a stop payment on a bill payment that I have already setup?

Yes. You can cancel an electronic bill payment at any time up until 11:00 PM (Eastern Time) on the business day prior to the payment date you established. Once the bill payment has been debited from your account, you CANNOT cancel or stop payment on a bill payment which has been paid electronically. You may be able to stop a bill payment paid by check by contacting your branch office before the check has cleared. You will have to contact us by telephone to determine if the check has cleared. If the check has not cleared, we will immediately process your stop-payment request. We will notify you immediately if the check has already cleared. To be effective, this type of stop-payment request must precisely identify the name of the payee, the payee-assigned account number, the amount and scheduled date of the payment, and the payee ID number from the Bill Payment "Payment History" Screen. You will incur stop-payment charges as disclosed in the current Fee Schedule.

Should I enter my Internet bill payment in my paper check register?

Yes. That way, you will be able to properly reconcile your checkbook with your MetroBank statement each month.

What happens if I do not have enough money in my account to cover the bill payment I have set up?

If you request a payment for more than the balance in your account, you may incur the same nonsufficient funds fee as with a personal check.

Where can I obtain additional consumer information on Internet banking?

"Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet" The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has published an online brochure aimed at informing consumers of their rights and responsibilities when banking over the Internet